Knowledge about important historical events, minority groups, social hierarchies, or the geo-political situation of the other person's home culture, all may be helpful in determining appropriate and inappropriate conversation topics.
A great resource I have used is "Lonely Planet." They may not be the most up to date, however, they are funny and a great historical reference.
When we encounter new ideas, new people, new situations, we try to fit them into that narrative. Chimamanda Adichie, the Nigerian novelist, talks about the power of the single story. It's a natural human tendency to make order out of complexity by simplifying. We feel more comfortable if we can put people and ideas into already established categories.
My story is based in Macau, China and combines superstition with Christianity, lucky numbers (3, 8, 7 ) and old folk tales. When I am reviewing that part of my life, I view people from different countries as I did when I was a child.
communication apprehension. Speaking in front of a group, for example, can produce anxiety for many people. Conversing with strangers can bring on even more apprehension. This comes in large part from uncertainty.
I experience communication apprehension when speaking in front of groups of people. This comes from self consciousness.
Language plays an oversized role in social cohesion and is the most important vehicle for transmission of cultural values. Nonverbal communication patterns are also a prominent constituent part of a group’s identity and an easily identifiable marker for group membership. Both systems are based on symbols.
Children use nonverbal communication frequently in their play and social interaction. It is a symbol of belonging and othering.
It is of particular importance for future leaders to gain insight and empathy into other cultures. National or regional officeholders, heads of political parties, and others in the public eye (entertainers, writers, activists) function as role models.
I had never thought of this until now. So much of what I had been focused on was strengthening ties between cultures and supporting my community.
xenophobia – the fear of foreigners.
When I came to the US, I experienced xenophobia. I view this behavior from a developmental level. Humans have predatory ancestors and conduct all sorts of behavior to regulate and portray dominance. Historical relations can also contribute to xenophobia.
Becoming knowledgeable about other cultures is also invaluable in gaining deeper insight into one's own culture. An experience living abroad or in close contact with those from another culture can lead to dramatically changed perspectives on the values and behavior patterns of one's native country.
I believe that my experience of being born and raised in South East Asia has profoundly impacted my view of myself and others. This cross cultural experience has made me more interested in the wellbeing of the world rather than the strength of my country.
Intercultural communication refers to the process of interacting with people who are different from oneself in fundamental ways related to appearance, language, worldviews, or a number of other categories. For many people this phenomenon is part of their everyday lives, for example, in multilingual, multicultural communities or in culturally diverse families
This practice is part of the core values of social work. I didn't realize it was also transferable to other businesses or human service agencies.